Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H213: An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies
Status: In committee, August 13, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Section 21 of chapter 19 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the fifth sentence and inserting in place thereof the following two sentences:- Pursuant to such agreements the department of mental health shall assume responsibility for individuals requiring specialized mental health services, including, but not limited to, inpatient mental health services, community-based acute treatment, intensive community-based acute treatment, mobile crisis intervention, intensive residential treatment programs, and youth crisis stabilization services. Pursuant to such agreements the department of mental health may assume responsibility for the provision of other non-mental health services to the department of developmental services. SECTION 2. Section 33C of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after subsection (b) the following four new subsections: - (c) The department, in consultation with the department of public health and the department of mental health, shall develop a model emergency response plan that includes both medical and behavioral health crisis response in order to promote best practices for congregate care settings, including clear guidelines for the roles and responsibilities of staff in congregate care settings, including but not limited to, protocols to access mobile crisis intervention, and, where applicable, youth crisis stabilization services, and community-based mental health providers; provided, however, that …
Sponsors
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- Russell Holmes (D, 6th Suffolk)
- Estela Reyes (D)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
- : Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Recommitted to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
- : Reported on a part of H4883
- : Reported from the committee on House Rules
- : Accompanied a study order, see H4883
- : Reporting date extended to Friday, January 30, 2026
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-2
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (July 30, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H213?
- H213 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies.
- What is the status of H213?
- In committee as of August 13, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (August 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H213?
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H213?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H213
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.